Four minutes apart, at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in 1986, Diego Maradona scored two of the most memorable goals of all time: one, a blatant and forever infamous act of cheating. The other, now acknowledged as the greatest in World Cup history.

by Hold Ye Front Page

2nd January 2015, 4:26 pm

Updated: 2nd November 2016, 4:33 pm

Four minutes apart, at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in 1986, Diego Maradona scored two of the most memorable goals of all time: one, a blatant and forever infamous act of cheating. The other, now acknowledged as the greatest in World Cup history.

England’s World Cup campaign under Bobby Robson had started badly.

A surprise 1-0 loss to Portugal in the first group game was followed by a goalless draw against Morocco.

But two 3-0 wins against Poland and Paraguay sent expectations soaring before the fateful quarter-final with Argentina.

In blisteringly hot noon sunshine Argentina made the stronger start, but a quiet first half ended goalless.

The second half was only six minutes old when 25-year-old Maradona performed his first trick.

England defender Steve Hodge sliced a looping pass back to goalkeeper Peter Shilton, forcing him to run out and punch it clear.

Maradona ran forward and leapt in the air.

He was just over 5ft 5ins, his head no threat to the outstretched fist of 6ft 1ins Shilton, so the Argentine stuck out his left arm and punched the ball into the open goal.

To the horror of England’s players, the Tunisian referee Ali Bennaceur awarded the goal.

Maradona couldn’t believe his luck.

The indignation of English players, fans and even commentators was nullified minutes later.

Ten yards inside his own half, Maradona danced and spun out of two challenges and began his charge towards England’s penalty area.

He went past Peter Reid, Terry Butcher and Terry Fenwick before showing the ball to an advancing Shilton, only to drag it past him.

Butcher’s despairing tackle was too late and Maradona side-footed the ball into the net.

In an instant, disgust at Maradona’s dishonesty was transformed into a grudging respect for his genius.

TV’s Barry Davies summed it up: “Oh! You have to say that’s magnificent,” he said.

Gary Lineker scored later, but England were beaten 2-1 and out of the World Cup.

At a press conference, Maradona said his first goal was scored ‘un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios’ (a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God).

It is without doubt the most notorious act of cheating in football history, but there are plenty of rivals.

Trailing a rampant Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in 1989, Chilean goalkeeper Roberto Rojas hurled himself at a smoking firework thrown on to the pitch by Brazilian fans and lying near his goal.

He writhed on the ground, clutching his face and pretending the firework had hit him, then gashed his own head for extra effect using a razor blade he had hidden in his glove.

The idea was to get the game abandoned and force a replay or Brazil’s disqualification.

It almost worked, but video evidence exposed him as a cheat.

Tales of football skulduggery wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the now widespread art of diving.

The most prolific modern exponent was Tottenham Hotspur’s German star Jurgen Klinsmann, who even made fun of himself by incorporating a dive into his goal celebrations.

Probably the most appalling dive ever came from the Brazilian Rivaldo at a World Cup match against Turkey in 2002 in front of millions of TV viewers.

He got an opponent sent off by collapsing, clutching his face as though shot, after a ball hit him in the shin.

Airborne: Jurgen Klinsmann - the worst serial diver of all time.

Having cut through England¿s defence Diego Maradona prepares to round goalkeeper Peter Shilton and score one of the greatest goals of all time.

Brazilian Rivaldo clutches his face in what is by common consent the worst dive in football history.